#TheRoundUp By Enzer - No. 68

HOT ON TV

The American reboot of the Weakest Link (USA) is fronted by Jane Lynch. 

Yes, the lady that played that mean coach (Sue Sylvester) on Glee (USA), who also hosts Hollywood Game Night (USA) is mimicking Anne Robinson (or trying to) on another American adaptation of The Weakest Link (UK, BBC Two). #LOL

Though Jane Lynch’s jabs on the show qualify as earth-shattering, they come nowhere near Anne Robinson’s scarring ruthlessness. Which is a good thing (by the way) because I mean, it should be a family-friendly prime-time show, and not some lame excuse to humiliate adults for not being trivia experts. #NowThatsJustDumb 

The questions posed to contestants by Jane Lynch are pretty fair in terms of difficulty. Sadly, the contestants keep failing to "do well." Compared to the questions posed on the British version, the American series’ rounds of quizzing are a walk in the park such that I am sure a fifth-grader could do well. #YepISaidIt

The series is well-produced and should be a prized creation.

I have to admit, I had my doubts, but thankfully I cannot wait for the next episodes to air. 

 

According to French viewers, a new series on Netflix titled Emily in Paris is highly offensive, an insult to French culture, people and norms – degrading, to say the least. 

And in case you missed it, Netflix has been in trouble with the public of late for other reasons as well. 

Anyway...

I, am on the fence, about this Emily in Paris show. 

Emily in Paris follows a young, trendy American who unexpectedly lands a job that moves her to Paris: the city of love, the city of fine dining, and divine locations showcased extensively throughout. 

She has a somewhat difficult time fitting in especially because she doesn’t speak French (*whispers* most of the earth’s humans speak one of the Chinese languages), and because she seemed a little stuck-up initially. However, she does eventually settle in, makes friends, and even finds love (ironically).

 

The first few scenes and maybe even some episodes could be deemed a little offensive to both Americans and French people alike (even I felt a little uncomfortable at times), but it is all romantic comedy cliches thereafter, for the most part, I believe. 

Having binge-watched the whole first season (yep, like watching the screening of a prolonged rom-com, #LOL), I can safely conclude that it pretty much depicts a real-life situation whereby two unknown groups or individuals clash upon meeting but realize later on that they have more in common than the opposite. And that they are better off united than divided. #Bam 

The cast is noteworthy: Lily Collins (Emily) plays the lead with a number of good-looking French actors supporting her. 

P.S. the men are better looking than the women. I’m not sure how accurate that is, or if that comment (after observations) would be considered offensive. 

 

I thought I had seen it all when it comes to teen dramas...until Netflix debuted Grand Army. The series is about select sets of teens that all attend a large public school in New York that pretty much face the same challenges that the real teen New Yorker is facing in 2020. I’m talking about drug abuse and addiction, promiscuity and sex addiction, identity crises, terrorist attacks, relationship drama, schooling issues, and loads more – yep, it’s that relatable. 

Unlike other teen-centric shows (like HBO’s Euphoria), the series’ writers tackled some of society’s taboos without going overboard (which is why it's relatable). 

The cast includes Odessa A’zion (Joey), Odley Jean (Dominique) and Amalia Yoo (Leila), who I believe are creating defining moments with their roles on the show. 

And yet some have declared that Netflix is losing its touch.

 

HOTTER:

This year’s delayed Billboard Music Awards (USA) finally aired from the Kodak Theater a few weeks ago. Kelly Clarkson returned as host, and some Billboard charting artists performed some of their hits. The theater stage was #totally transformed into some sort of shell that did not look so bad onscreen. 

The Billboard Music Awards do not usually feature outstanding musical performances...so…

The CMT Music Awards 2020 (USA) were not as good as previous editions that I have taken the time to watch. Some of the musical performances were okay-ish, but generally, the show looked cheap (loved the hosts though). #CoronaSometimes

 

The BET Hip Hop Awards (USA) did it for me this year. The rap performances were incredible; the whole show was just a huge improvement from previous editions. Producers of award shows should seriously consider incorporating the virtual experience for future editions of ceremonies – post the pandemic. 

This Is Us (USA) returned for a fifth season which, as expected, is already bringing on the drama. I did however notice how the story arc is readying viewers for an end. I read somewhere that the writers already have an ending planned, so I guess the fifth season might be signaling that which is inevitable...or maybe it’s just me. 

Mom (USA) returned for an eighth season without leading lady Anna Faris (Christy). I am really interested in finding out what the writers have in store this season (without Anna Faris’s character). I could argue that the writers are pretty much digging their own graves by continuing the series without their focal character. But then again, who out there is capable of accurately predicting future events? 

It has been confirmed! Shameless (USA, Showtime) will return for its final season in December. 

I, like many, am looking forward to finding out how the series will close after eleven captivating seasons in the neighborhoods of the South-side of Chicago. 

The show is now one of two series to have won the Enzer’s World (E.W.) Recognition for Outstanding Fictional Series twice in a row, the other series being Netflix’s You. The series has also received the most E.W. Recognitions nominations of any shortlisted content, brands, or personalities as of July 2020. 

Click the link below to view the list of Top Winners and Nominees: 

https://enzerworld.blogspot.com/p/ew-online-awards_2.html

What am I expecting from Shameless’ final season? 

A whole lot of the usual craziness associated with the Gallaghers. #BlowMyMind #OneLastTime

Big Brother (USA)’s twenty-second season popularly known as All-Stars concluded its run a few weeks ago with former runner-up Cody Calafiore (Season 16) taking home half a million bucks after receiving all of the jury’s votes. 

On one hand, Cody was an outstanding player who won many challenges and was well-aligned throughout. On the other hand, it sort of seemed like the title was handed to him by the other contenders. I mean, I find it difficult to believe that such a strong player (Cody) could be 'invisible' or less threatening in the game to other (possibly weaker) house-guests. Unless half a million dollars is pocket change...

The Bachelorette (USA)...just got better. Again, I thought nothing could beat Hannah Brown and/or Colton Dixon. Wait, until the season sixteen drama started unfolding before the season even premiered!

Please, if you’re clueless about what this is about, then the Google service was made for you to utilize.

Oh, and The Bachelor (USA) will debut a non-Caucasian front-man in the upcoming 25th season. #HelloLadies

 

Love Island (USA), CBS’s attempt at rivaling ABC’s The Bachelor (USA) Franchise ended with a public vote that instantly increased Justine Ndiba & Caleb Corprew (the winning couple)’s net worth. I mean, they were the viewers’ favorite throughout, so…

The 2020 CMA Awards (USA) ceremony, hosted by Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker was a well-done affair. That was one show I did not regret tuning into. 

I guess televised events producers are beginning to catch on with the new normal (with regards to improving semi to fully virtual events on TV). 

Good for them, good for us. 

Other series to catch: 

Tyler Perry's The Haves and the Have Nots (USA, OWN);

The Masked Singer (USA);

The Voice (USA);

The Goldbergs (USA);

The Wendy Williams Show (USA);

The River (South Africa, 1 Magic);

Idols (South Africa, Mzansi Magic).

 

 

WEB TV:

The TERRELL Show (USA) is an entertaining Web Series hosted by TERRELL that features likable celebrities and interesting conversations about pretty much anything that could be a topic for discussion. It’s one of those web-shows that is hard to miss. 

Don’t miss out on E.W.’s T.V. Moments on Twitter and Facebook! Use the hashtag #EWTVMoments to view all of the selected videos. 

 

A.I. UPDATE:

A few Idol alumni or rejects have been trending this past couple of weeks.

Gabby Barrett, who finished second on her season has been highlighted in country music circles, and RILEY, better known as Amber Riley, who was rejected by Idol released an EP that...is...on...REPLAY!

This just goes to show that winning isn’t the real ‘golden ticket’ and that just registering to audition is probably enough.  

What’s the point of this show again? 

 

 

E.W. GLOBAL:

Legacy (South Africa, M-Net) is a new weekday drama that I am gushing over. The story is about a group of people (well, some) that will do anything to control a financial empire supposedly left behind by some wealthy dude. The series comprises outstanding scenes, portrayals, and picturesque settings which honestly, during these times, was unexpected. 

Hey Tracey! (UK, ITV2) is a fun-filled game show that is slowly becoming an addiction (in a good way that is). The show features groups of British celebrities competing for a generous prize package which one lucky ‘normal’ person (that’s what non-celebrities are called on the show, #LOL) will walk away with. You will love it!

Other series to catch: 

The Bachelorette (Australia, Network Ten);

Gomora (South Africa, Mzansi Magic);

The Voice of Germany (Germany);

Legacy/Emanet (Turkey, FOX);

 

 

THROWBACK:

XO XO.

Gossip Girl (USA) was an interesting story about a group of rich kids’ escapades that viewers could not get enough of, coz, yep, there’s going to be a reboot of the show, soon. 

The series is one of those shows which works well on traditional TV where a new episode is released weekly. Because too much teenage drama in one go (binge) could be exhausting, #LOL.

 

SPEAK OUT

#Quotes:

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."- MALCOLM FORBES 

"Force always attracts men of low morality." - ALBERT EINSTEIN

"My basic principle is that you don’t make decisions because they are easy; you don’t make them because they are cheap; you don’t make them because they’re popular; you make them because they’re right." - THEODORE HESBURGH

"There is always a better way." - THOMAS EDISON

"I will not be concerned at other men not knowing me; I will be concerned at my own want of ability." - CONFUCIUS

"The ancestor of every action is a thought." - RALPH WALDO EMERSON

"Great thoughts come from the heart." - LUC DE CLAPIERS

"The extent to which you take responsibility over something is the extent to which you take control over it." - YUVAN MOHAN

"It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense." - ROBERT G. INGERSOLL

"A status symbol is an instrument you clash when you want someone to know you are there." - WILLIAMS SANSOM

 

MUSIC SPOT

In our spotlight this time around is outstanding country music act, Carrie Underwood. 

It’s not so much about her evolution...or her memorable victory on the American Idol stage. Oh no, it’s simply her authenticity and rawness when storytelling using music. 

Songs we like by Carrie Underwood (as lead artist):

- Jesus, Take The Wheel

- Don’t Forget to Remember Me

- Before He Cheats

- So Small

- Cowboy Casanova

- Mama’s Song

- Good Girl

- Blown Away

- Two Black Cadillacs

- See You Again

- Something in the Water

- Little Toy Guns

- Smoke Break

- Heartbeat

- Church Bells

- Dirty Laundry

- Cry Pretty

- Love Wins

- Southbound

- Drinking Alone

- The Champion (ft. Ludacris)

 

 
THESE ALBUMS ROCK!:

Love Goes (Sam Smith)

SONGS WE LIKE: Diamonds; My Oasis (ft. Burna Boy); Dancing with a Stranger (with Normani); How Do You Sleep?; I’m Ready (with Demi Lovato); Fire on Fire; Promises (with Calvin Harris). 

ALBUM NAME: Beautiful.

ALBUM COVER ART: 4/5

 

Confetti (Little Mix)

SONGS WE LIKE: Break Up Song; Holiday; Sweet Melody; Bounce Back. 

ALBUM NAME: Got it.

ALBUM COVER ART: 1/5

 

Folklore (Taylor Swift)

SONGS WE LIKE: The 1; Cardigan; 

ALBUM NAME: Eh.

ALBUM COVER ART: 2/5

 

 

BUZZING MUSIC VIDEOS OF NOW:

- Zvatichazova (Trevor Dongo ft. JXB XKLSV)

- positions (Ariana Grande)

- Ain't Your Mama (Jennifer Lopez)

- Family Feud (JAY-Z ft. Beyonce)

- Amanikiniki (MFR Souls ft. Major League Djz, Kamo Mphela, Bontle Smith)

- Bicycle Ride "Soca Remix" (Vybz Kartel ft. Bunji Garlin) 

 

 

View all of E.W.’s top music videos right now by simply typing in: 

‘MUSIC SPOT #SongOfTheDay’

…into your Twitter and/or Facebook Search Bar(s) (and then click ‘Search’) and all of the tweets and/or posts will appear on your screen.

For new music videos, cover versions, classics, lyric videos, acoustic versions or live performances type in:

‘MUSIC SPOT #FreshVideo’

Or

‘MUSIC SPOT #CoverSongOfTheDay’ 

Or

‘MUSIC SPOT #Classic’

Or

‘MUSIC SPOT #LyricVideo’ 

Or

‘MUSIC SPOT #Live’

 

IN THE NEWS

The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was pretty much the only thing trending. The countless headlines and stories released before and after the election result were not only informative but also entertaining.

 

The country is pretty much split between the Republicans and the Democrats, which creates problems (commonly a civil war), which could result in a less effective democratic system. 

At least Kamala Harris’ accession (as Joe Biden’s deputy) inspires a positive outlook to some. 

 

FLICK PICK

There was no way I was going to fail to find the time to watch another one of American Pie (USA)’s movies. 

And yes, the inappropriateness is still central. #NoRegrets #Absolutely

American Pie Presents: Girls’ Rules (USA) focuses on a group of girlfriends and their teenage sexual experiences in the raunchiest way imaginable, I think. 

It’s not the best of the American Pie movies, but it’s also not the worst. 

I mean, what beats masturbating with an apple pie (or pies)?

 

TECH TALK

Another Twitter system crash created a frenzy online, just moments after the social network went down (and even hours later). 

The reactions sort of made me wonder if social networks such as Twitter have taken over people’s lives (a.k.a social media addiction), considering (seriously) that that crash wasn’t the first and probably not the last. 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Who’s Following E.W. on Twitter?: 

- Scissor Sisters (Band)

 

Who’s Tagging E.W. on Twitter?:

 

 

NEW ON E.W.

The addition of labels (or tags) to the editions of #TheRoundUp By Enzer for your convenience is ongoing. You can find them at the bottom of the #TheRoundUp By Enzer posts. 

‘til Next Time

>>> Totally Unbiased <<<